Time for a chit chat [ethan]

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Gunnar had left a simple message upon the boy's bed. 'Your presence is requested in the dungeons Friday night at 7 PM, please come to the last door on the left. Do not wear white.' One Ethan Hunter had managed to escape his gaze for so long. Mostly because Gunnar had been busy with dealing with prisoners, running information for the battle and in general doting and caring for Tessa. The latter proving to be more of a chore then the previous reasons. Tessa was stubborn and determined to do what she could. The poor girl almost worked to death and then almost got herself killed. Gunnar was thankful for Lord Apollo stepping in and saving her just once. There were occasions that Gunnar even hoped that his Ukki would have enough sense to save her over him. The world was so much better with her in it and she had the most promising life. So now the time had come to have a talk with this fourth cohort boy. Family was involved and Family was a matter that Gunnar did not take rather lightly. It was important and it was something that meant the world to him. Though he never would dream of saying it out loud, his cousins, his aunts and uncles, they were all important. They were family, and to put it in those Disney terms that Tessa was rather fond of, they were his Ohana. Family was forever and they were the most important thing in the world. His Aunt Felicity was gone, though he left a few flowers in her remembrance, and he felt sad about it. But one of these days he would see her again. After the previous war, death made him a bit calloused and indifferent towards it. Death was a part of life and it wasn't something to fear. It was the next adventure.

Gunnar had been visiting Tessa in the infirmary, bringing her food and things to eat and occupy her mind with. The poor girl was chomping at the bit to do something other then just sit in the infirmary. But this was a different manner. HE couldn't bring her along if he wanted to. This wasn't such a place for such delicate flowers. However this was his place of employment. Well, sort of. He was a man of the Legion. He did things that the legion asked him too. But it would seem that there were things that the world of New Rome wasn't exactly in tune to. There were things that wern't spoken of in the world of New Rome and this particular job that Gunnar had was something that very few people knew about. Rogers knew, Rhiannon knew first hand, Tessa vaguely knew, and it was assuredly that Remus knew. Whether or not the co-praetor knew, that was up in the air. He did not expect that Ethan would know whether or not this place existed. Very few people did and those that did, well they either rotted here for a good, long time, or they were kicked out. But that was neither here nor there. Gunnar stepped into the room where he did his job. It was small, quaint. The smell of death was a permanent fixture, it was as if the stone walls had soaked in the smell. There was the smell of iron, the smell of blood. The rack across the way and set against the far wall, well the restraints were rusted by the blood. No matter how much scrubbing Gunnar did, there was no way they were coming up clean. He would have to put in a request with Ronan for a few things for this little slice of paradise. He was rather quite at home amongst the smell of death and decay. Call him a sadistic bastard, most people did anyways, but it was a familiar smell.

Gunnar placed his tool kit down on a small table next to his favorite thing in the kit, his airhorn. He pulled out a small rolled up piece of fabric as he gently placed it on the table before lighting the lantern that hung just beside the entry way of the little room. He pulled the wooden chair out, gently taking off the jacket that his Ukki had given him as a gift and gently draped it across the back of said chair. His shoes were neatly polished and he propped his feet up on the desk, crossing them at the ankles as he crossed the arms behind his head. He leaned back on the back legs of his chair. Now was the fun part, the waiting game. He took in a deep breath before he tilted his head back and leaned it against the stone that encased the small rooms walls. There were people out there that did not want to be in poor Ethan's shoes right now. Though if there was anything to be said, even Tessa didn't know he existed let alone that they were in the same cohort till they had started dating. The thought was rather amusing but at the same time it was quite sad. Who could miss someone that was quite literally under their noses for nearly eleven years? Even as a child in the legion he was in the shadows and not much could keep him in the light. He was good at what he did and there was no doubt about it.

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He’d gotten the message alright. And had been petrified ever since. Now it was 6:30 pm. Almost time. He left a note on Lilith’s bed: In case something bad happens to me… I love you. A little morbid? Possibly. But if everything was okay, he could always just teleport there and get it away before she found it. Hopefully. If not, he’d have some complicated explaining to do. But for now… well, he knew full well that Gunnar was not one to be messed with. That was about all he knew though. The guy was shrouded in secrecy. Which made him like some kind of legendary… legend man. But meeting in the dungeons? Like that could be good news.

Ethan dressed in jeans and a dark blue shirt and sneakers. Nothing white on him. Well, except the sneakers, but they were dirty enough to be called brown. Close enough. Plus he didn’t want to wear flip-flops to the dungeons. What if this involved like rusty nails or something? It could be anything. Besides, wasn’t Gunnar a relative of Lilith? Maybe he was here to have the talk. Oh gods. The most epic big brother looking down at him ever. Or whatever their relation might be. Still scary. Was he going to have to pass a test to see if he was good enough for Lilith? Maybe fighting, or worse, algebra. Nooooo! Or had Gunnar decided already he wasn’t good enough and was now going to let him know in an extremely painful way? Then again, learning he couldn’t be with Lilith would be painful period, but learning about it by getting his fingernails yanked from his fingers… yikes. Whole new level. He gulped back his fear.

…And headed for the dungeons. 6:48. It smelled bad down here, he noted as he descended the steps. Not a good sign. He bit his lip. Last door on the left, the note had said. So he made his way down the hallway. The smell was not improving. Neither were his hopes of getting out of here in one piece. Why the dungeons??? This was awful. Maybe he should have brought a peace offering. Hershey’s bar, maybe. Everyone loved Hershey’s. Except Josh, but he was allergic, so that was another matter. But he didn’t have time to go get a Hershey bar now. He would just have to rely on his wits and usual good fortune. Hopefully they would not decide to fail him. He got to the last door under the light of a lantern that was more ominous than it probably should have been, and poked his head in. “Hello?” He was neither surprised nor impressed to find his voice was shaking a bit.

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There was no clock in the dungeons. Heaven forbid that those who were unlucky enough to make it to him in the duengons, well they didn't want them to be able to know how much time had passed since they had been in here. It was a pre-formed torture of sorts. Many people went nuts when their days all blended together and there wasn't much to pass the time other than meals coming and going throughout the day. But Gunnar had a watch. He expected this boy to be prompt. Early even. Punctuality was important. As someone so expertly pointed out of him, he was punctual, courteous, professional and a plan to kill everyone in the room. Oh he could easily kill Ethan, that wasn't in question. But he had another plan this time. He could only chuckle at what horror thoughts might be going through this Ethan boy's mind. Torture was just as much mental as it was physical in a way and Gunnar had perfected his art. But he didn't think that anyone was good for Lilith, though he had heard that Ukki had already talked to the boy. He still wanted to find out for himself. You never really knew a persons heart till you fought them, or presented them with a life or death situation.

The tentative voice echoed through the small room, good the boy was prompt, at least he had one strike in his favor this evening. Whether or not it stayed this way, well that was yet to be determined. "Enter" Gunnar said as he gently placed his polished shoes on the floor as he waited for the legacy to enter in. He waited for the boy to enter. Gunnar stood up to his full height as he looked at him with a cold and steely gaze. Emotion was not upon his face at this time. He picked up the linen roll that was in front of him and rolled it out upon the wooden table. Then he flipped the cover over to reveal the silver instruments of torture. They were gleaming in the light of the candle upon the wooden table, gleaming with a pristine glint. He took care of his tools, they were, after all an important part of his trade. Even the blade that lilith had given him was sitting there in the cloth. He gently ran a finger over the pliers then over one of his knives. "you see, Ethan, there is information I want and I will get what I am looking for." He said as he stood up strait, his voice cold and heartless. "These dungeons nullify powers. All but the most extremely powerful are rendered powerless. I can assure you, if you try to escape, your demise would be imminent."

He crossed his arms over his chest as he sized up the boy for a moment. Then he pulled out a few vials and gently set them on the table above his tools. "Each of these contains poisons and venom." Gunnar picked up a small vial and shook it in front of his face. "Mosquito venom. It keeps the blood from clotting and it will make you itch till you wish me to peel the very skin from your body." He gently placed the vial down. "But I have a feeling that these will not be necessary." he softly said as he picked up the first tool in his pack. "If I have to use this, we will be mere acquaintances." He gently placed it down as he then picked up the last tool in his pack. "But by the time I get here, you and I will be the best of friends." He turned to Ethan. "Or you could just tell me what I want to know. Make it easy." He gently placed the last tool down as he turned to face the legacy.

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Ethan did not like the looks of this. Nor the smell of this. Gods, did they ever clean this place? Yuck! Ethan had been some unpleasant places before, but this topped it. Well, minus that time when he fell in the Chigaco sewer system. That had been a real treat. That had been on one of his youthful adventures, just learning the ropes of escaping Camp Jupiter unnoticed. The Chicago part had been a complete surprise though, as he had actually been hoping for St. Louis, but close enough. Sort of. Not really. Right, but enough of that mental chitter chatter. He had a mission to attend to. A really give you the chills sort of mission. He gathered his courage at that one dread word: enter. Sure, most people would be like ‘what’s the big deal with that, he’s just telling you to come in’. Ah, but that was where he got you. Once you were inside, he’d probably like shadow travel and slam and lock the door behind you, then proceed to like pull out your hairs one by one or Chinese water torture or gods only knew what. And of course the walls would be soundproof, so no one could hear you scream. And the floor would have a drain in it for the blood. Lots of blood. And maybe a straightjacket. Stained in blood. And maggots. Ew, ew, ew. And leeches. And, and, and…

Shut up, Ethan he mentally scolded himself, and gathered his strength and entered the room. Good news. No slamming and locking doors. That was a start. The first thing he noticed was that Gunnar was really tall. And his stare had this turn your intestines to Jell-O thing about it. “Hey…” he said in what came out a lot higher-pitched than intended. Great. Awesome first impression there, Hunter. Truly astounding. Then things got a lot worse, and suddenly Ethan was really wishing for that straightjacket. A row of evil looking tools were unfurled and gleamed in the light of the candle. He didn’t need a mirror to know his face had just gone a lovely shade of parchment. And there was that aforementioned chill. Information? S-sure, he could do that. Right? At least it wasn’t like his pancreas. No teleporting. Minor setback. Especially seeing as he know in times of panic it could happen without his deciding on it. And this was pretty close to panic. He’d just have to keep check of himself. That whole imminent demise thing didn’t really sound too appealing. Plus he didn’t want to leave those dear to him. Sure, scared out of his wits and he still couldn’t help but think of Jason and Lilith and Ed and all those he cared about here.

Then the vials came out. He assumed the worst, and soon realized that his imagination had not been good enough to be even close. Who was insane enough to keep a store of mosquito venom? And where did he get that from, Evil ‘R’ Us? All he could do was nod numbly. A smile almost – almost – came to his face when Gunnar said the vials would not be necessary. That was good, right? Then he held up the first tool. Maybe he was wrong… Mere acquaintances, okay… Then he saw the last tool properly when Gunnar held it up. Best friends. Dear holy mother of the gods. Then those piercing eyes fixed on his. And he lost it. “I-information? Sure! All yours! My name is Ethan Rufus Hunter, I’m a legacy of Mercury, my birthday is January 1, I like the color blue, I’ve always had an inferiority complex, but you know, I’m okay with that now, and I’m really bad at fighting, but I work hard at it so I can be better, and I sneak out of camp on average once a week, and my favorite ice cream is peppermint, and I actually like Christmas better than Saturnalia because lights on trees are really pretty, and I like sugary things probably more than I should, and I also really like BBC shows and would love to get behind the wheel of Bugatti Veyron one day, but no way I’d ever steal one of those, so it’s just a dream, and I actually slept with a teddy bear until I was fourteen, and…” He had to stop for breath, having said all this in an extremely rushed fashion.

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The shade of parchment pale that this boy had turned, well to say that it was a beautiful look was an understatement. Normally to achieve such a glorious look, Gunnar had to at least drain a pint of blood from someone. Not that he was above draining blood, there was a reason why there was a drainage pipe in the floor. It was even complete with a rusting drainage grate. It added nicely to the decor. Ethan's voice quivered, at least a few octaves higher than what Gunnar figured it normally was. Good, he was scared. That meant Gunnar was doing his job. In a single and rather quick movement, Gunnar spun the chair he had been sitting in towards the middle of the room. There was more than enough room for Ethan to sit down, the boy was too skinny and scrawny. He needed to put on some more muscle if he hoped to protect Lilith. "Sit." Gunnar stated as he pointed a pale finger to the chair on the opposite side of the table. He sat down opposite of where he told Ethan to sit. HE pulled out a wicked looking dagger as he then proceeded to pick his nails clean. HE watched Ethan intently, listening to his heart pounding out a tattoo as if he was part of a marching band. Sometimes that was the most amazing sound in the world. He gently closed his eyes to listen in a contented sigh to the panicked sound of yet another heart.

Then Ethan started rambling. It was obvious he had shaken the boy. Gunnar held up a hand to stem the flow of freely given information. "And here I thought you had more constitution." Gunnar stated coldly. Well then, it would seem that he and Ethan shared a birthday. Interesting. Horrible at fighting? Well that just wouldn't do. Gunanr registered the information in his mind. Oh he would be using it later for blackmail if necessary. "Giving away information so freely, tisk tisk" Gunnar stated, again his voice void of emotion as he fixed Ethan with another steely glare. He said nothing for another couple of moments as he tapped his fingers on the table. His other hand rolled the dagger over and over, he was contemplating one of the better ways to extract information from this little quivering pile of goo that was across the way from him.

"As much fun as it is to toy with my food, I have an alterior motive." Gunnar stated. He reached into one of the many pockets in his jacket, producing a small key. He placed it on the table, using a single finger to slide it over to Ethan. "Do not loose this." Gunnar stated as he looked Ethan strait in the eyes. "Recently, Lilith took me to her home on the Island of Mull, I had it remodeled and refurnished. Take her there. this is the key to the house. There is a ward, however you will have to give me a week to deactivate it. I will however need some of your blood." There was a ward he had a friend place on the house so monsters, door to door salesmen and jehova's witnesses couldn't harass whomever resided in the house. It was open to the children and descendants of Mors, but he would need Ethan's blood to allow him to bypass the ward. He didn't particularly know what the ward would do to legacies and demigods, but monsters would turn into a pile of dust, mortals would be lost and turn around, but he'd rather not take a chance and have his cousins beloved turned into a smear on the pavement.

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Sit. Right. Okay. Ethan nodded quickly and took a seat, though he was still feeling the distinct urge to flee. And the whole cleaning one’s fingernails with sharp weaponry… not too inviting. And staring. Did he mention that? It was a little unnerving. All in all, it did not help matters. So naturally, he lost it. What? He wasn’t the bravest guy around, that was no secret. Gunnar held up a hand and Ethan stuttered to a stop. Great. There went his first impression. He examined the floor self-consciously. At least, until Gunnar spoke up again and he risked looking up to him. Yeah, Gunnar wasn’t happy. That was bad. For starters, weren’t he and Lilith related and pretty close or something? At least related. That might be why he was summoned here now. Oh gods, the big brother test. Was that what this was? If it was, he was off to a terrible start. “Sorry…” Well, lump of good that would do, saying he was sorry. He sincerely wished he had a Time Turner or a TARDIS and he could just start this meeting over. Then again, there was that whole stepping into his own timeline thing. Messy. If it were even possible.

Ulterior motive? That didn’t sound good at all. And then he reached into his pocket and Ethan may or may not have freaked out a little, unsure what to expect. He’d never been through a big brother test, and certainly not with someone like Gunnar. Considering what all he had shown him so far, he wasn’t getting his hopes up of it being a free non-poisoned chocolate bar. He almost closed his eyes, but considering his reputation was so damaged here already, he decided not to. But then he saw what it was. A key? What? Was he going to lock him away or something? He slid it over to him. For a second, he watched the key like it might explode or grow legs and eat him or something, glancing at Gunnar with a ‘what?’ expression. Thankfully it was sort of clarified a moment later. Ethan picked up the now definitely not going to eat him key and pocketed it. “I won’t.” He considered asking what it was for, but decided yet again that that would be a bad idea. Maybe later, if Gunnar didn’t volunteer the information.

Thankfully, said volunteering did happen. Ethan nodded as he listened. Lilith’s home? Hadn’t he and Lilith been there before, before the war? That was, before the monster showed up and they had to get out of there fast. Also, why did he need the key? No offense, but the whole lock-picking thing that ran in Mercury blood… well, perhaps it was for formalities. He didn’t want Lilith to feel like they were breaking into her old home. That would be bad. Ok, then key it was. He nodded again at the whole ward thing. Okay, wards were a good thing right? Protecting. That was good. Yes. Then came the part about the blood. Ethan tried to put on a brave face, but honestly, he wasn’t a needle’s best friend, and he didn’t want to think about the other ways this guy could extract the needed sample. He swallowed hard and hoped Gunnar didn’t notice. “Okay.” This was for Lilith. And frankly he would give his life for her, so a bit of blood wasn’t going to end it all.

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There was nothing better than a good scare. Oh how Gunnar loved the sound of the rushing heart beat, the flushing of the faces or lack there of, the sweaty palms and beads of persperation, the change in hormones, Oh how he loved the hormonal response that came with the fight or flight response. Though it would seem that the boy here in front of him, Ethan, seemed to have a high flight response. It would be good to believe that any child or legacy of Mercury had a high flight response. But he also knew that when it came to the mercury family, well they were strong and if their loved ones were in danger they were fearsome opponents. He had seen first hand by working with MErcury in the war. The god himself was quite serious and well versed in his art. IT was something rather inspiring. But he intently watched Ethan, listening to his heart and watching his pupils for a long while. "Never be sorry. That shows weakness. Apologize if you must atone for wrong doings." Gunnar stated, his voice low as he stabbed the point of the knife into the wooden table, a half an inch away from Ethan. Though it wasn't forceful or with malice, it was enough to drive his point across.

"When you get to the house, you'll find a carving in a tree to the left of the walk way. Take your knife, press it into your thumb and then write your initials on the marking on the tree. IT will allow you safe passage. I'd rather the wards not turn you into a pile of dust." Gunnar stated. Again no emotion left his voice box. His lip curled over his white teeth. His eyes narrowed as he looked Ethan over once more. He really didn't think this boy was good enough for his little cousin. But there again he didn't much think that anyone short of a praetor or someone much stronger than.... well... Ethan. She needed someone strong, someone who could take care of her. Someone who could fight and protect her. While Gunnar was aware of Ethan's heroics when it came to the infirmary, he didn't trust him to make a repeat performance. Even under the same sort of pressure, people could preform differently as opposed to being consistent. They could buckle and break. When it came to his cousin, that wasn't acceptable. Not in the least.

"Listen to me and listen well." Gunnar stated in a low and cold voice. His eyes narrowed into his standard steely gaze. "If you hurt my cousin, I will break you." He gently drummed his fingers on the wooden table. "You won't know the meaning of pain till I put a hurting on you that would make you wish you were dead." He stood up and leaned over, staring Ethan directly in the eyes. "And just so you know, you will never see it coming. Your body will wish it was dead. I will use every. single. trick. in. my. book." He paused between each word to let it sink in for effect. "And remember, I have diplomatic immunity in many countries and I know how to not be found." He continued to fix Ethan with his unblinking stare down.

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Well, this was going swimmingly. He sucked his lips in so he could bite down on both of them simultaneously from the inside for a moment before taking a deep breath. Right. No apologizing. Or, apparently, he would end up stabbed or something. That totally wasn’t intimidating and terrifying all in one package, now was it? Nope. Not at all. He was in the process of trying to think of something to say to make up for his apparent error, when Gunnar saved him the trouble by speaking up again. He nodded as the older boy – man? How old was Gunnar anyway? – spoke. “Right, no turning into dust for me. So let me get this straight, I cut my thumb and then use said knife to carve in the tree? The blood on the knife will be enough for the part about not turning into dust? Or do I like need to squeeze a drop out on the tree or something? I’d really like to avoid the dust thing.”

He straightened up, hoping his fear wasn’t too obvious, as Gunnar got all serious – or… seriouser – on him. “Listening, sir.” His mouth went dry as Gunnar spoke. Not good. So not good. And then the guy stood up just to make matters worse. It was so, but Ethan felt like he was strapped into the chair he was sitting on, and that maybe it was an electric chair or something like in the movies. He listened intently – like he had a choice – and tried not to shiver. Eventually, several minutes probably after Gunnar stopped talking, he finally swallowed against his dry mouth and nodded. “Yes, sir. And I must say, this whole dungeon meeting… good plan. You play the concerned older cousin position quite well. Quite well. Gotta respect that.” There was one thing he didn’t like about Gunnar though. And that was simple. And it gave him strength he didn’t know he had. He straightened up in his seat until he nearly bumped heads with Gunnar, the guy was so craned over, and met him with the same unblinking stare. “Now it’s your turn to listen. My name is Ethan Rufus Hunter and I may not seem intimidating or strong or have diplomatic immunity or any of that glitz, but I love Lilith McKinnon and I’d be damned if I didn’t lay down my life for her every single day for the rest of my stay this side of the Underworld. She is my everything. If she got hurt in any way, I would go to the ends of the earth and back to heal her. So, buddy, don’t even start with me about what you would do to me because I’m too busy making sure Lilith is the happiest, safest, most well protected woman on earth to deal with you trying to pull out my toenails or something. So let me put it to you this way: we can team up to help her, or we can forever be at odds and cause he no end of grief because two important people in her life can’t get along. What do you say?” When he finished, he dare not budge from how he was sitting except to breathe. He was determined now to show that he was no push-over and that he could and would take care of Lilith at all times for the rest of time. No matter who stood in his way, might it be her cousin or the armies of Tartarus.

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"Good." Gunnar stated, a slightly cold and rather.... crazy look crossed his face. "You have balls, gotta admire that. Lesser men than you have melted faster than a pile of ben and jerry's on the side walk in Egypt." Gunnar continued to stare at the legacy. He had to give props to the legacy. He had been in the dungeons so long, he knew how to pick apart people from the day he was four and his powers manifested. "It is nice to know that my little cousin is in good hands. She needs someone strong for her and not a physical strength mind you. She is stubborn and fool hardy at times. you will never have a dull moment with her Ethan." He sat down in the chair across from Ethan at the table. He let out a sigh, his shoulders sagged with exhaustion. It seemed that time after the war was finally catching up to him. For some people, the hardships of war and their repercussions were immediate. Other people seemed to not be effected by it. But for people like him, it opened up wounds that he thought had closed so long ago. He could feel the whip of stygin iron flash across his back, the sound of his father's pleading cries to end it. He shook his head, trying to clear the thoughts.

"I am glad to see that my lilith is in good hands." He said as he winked at Ethan. He was done with the whole big bad wolf thing. Though Gunnar had a feeling that when he got back to Tessa, he'd probably have to tape her down to the gurney and force her to rest. She was someone who constantly troubled the Mors clan. The relationship that he and lilith had was something interesting. He had tried to protect her for so long, to keep her away from the seedy underworld that he ran in the circles of. He didn't want to have someone else die because of him. "Please, make sure she isn't stupid and goes off at night on her own. I can't tell you how many times I've told her not to but she wont listen." Gunnar shook his head. How many people had been attacked, how many had gone missing before the war? Gunnar knew that people were always at stake. There was always something out there trying to get demi-gods and legacies. It didn't matter how powerless or strong a demi-god was.

((sorry it's kindda short))